Having ETERNITY on Your Mind

Have ETERNITY on Your Mind.

Eternity may not mean much to you now, but the more you study it the more you will long for it.
Eternity means forever.
We were put on this Earth to be tested.
Don’t fail the test.
Have eternity on your mind always, by remembering the Lord’s commandments in all that you do.
Your Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ love you, and want you to remember their plan.
That is why you are here.
I know as teenagers it is hard to keep an eternal perspective, but this is why I created this booklet.
This booklet is meant to help you keep Eternity on your mind so that you can one day have an eternal family of your own.

The eternal family. An eternal family is a family that has been sealed to each other for time and all eternity. Eternity does not mean this life, but so much more than that. Eternity means forever. Families can be together forever, what an incredible blessing that is.

Strengthening your Eternal Family:
-Show love to each member of your family.
-Help your family stay on the Lord’s path.
-Be the best that you can be.
-HAVE FAITH.
-Have eternity on your mind.




Eternal life is a destination within our reach. Often times when we think of the Eternal Plan of Happiness, we think of having eternal life as being impossible, when really this statement is completely false. Eternal life is within our reach, as long as we choose now to follow the Eternal Plan of Happiness. In 1st Nephi chapter 3 verse 7 we read, “I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.” Every commandment that he has given us, he has prepared a way for us to accomplish this commandment. It is possible to reach eternal life if we are willing to do our part to get there. It is essential that we have eternity on our mind in order to reach eternal life.
As teenagers we are tested. We are faced with many temptations, and introduced to many things we never have seen or experienced.

How to keep from falling into temptation:
-I will never smoke or drink. The Word of Wisdom is too important to me.
-I will never break the law of chastity. This does not just include sex outside of marriage. This includes any form of sexual intimacy that is considered inappropriate. Tip: There are no “gray areas” the Law of Chastity is Black and White.
-I will never steal. We are commanded, “Thou shalt not steal.”
-I will have eternity on my mind.

SET BOUNDARIES NOW!
Do not wait until you are faced with a temptation to make a decision, make your decision NOW!
If you want to have Eternal Life make the decisions now that will help you get there.

“Don’t sacrifice what you want most, for what you want most now.” –Gordon B. Hinckley




When we are younger we often wonder, “What is the purpose of marriage?” As we get older we understand that marriage is an equal partnership ordained of God. We learn from The Family: A Proclamation to the World that, “the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.” Marriage between man and woman is essential to his eternal plan. Although you as teenagers are not ready right now to be married for time and all eternity, it is time to start preparing NOW. In that preparation it is essential to date only men/women that hold the same standards that you want your husband/wife to possess. If there is one thing I want you to learn, it is this phrase: YOU MARRY WHO YOU DATE. Do not waste your time dating people that you could not see yourself marrying, or you will end up settling for less than you deserve. Keep your standards high, and attract the kind of men/women you want to marry. Keep eternity on your mind at all times, in all things, and in all places.

Dating Guidelines:
-I will never date before the age 16.
-At age 16 I will go on group dates, and not be in a serious relationship at a young age.
-I will never sit in a parked car with my date.
-I will stay in public places with my date.
-I will never break the law of chastity.
-I will never date someone that doesn’t respect me, and my standards.
-Have fun!
-I will have eternity on my mind.


SET GUIDELINES NOW!





Marriage is hard, and often we enter into marriage unprepared. Of course it isn’t possible to be fully prepared for marriage, because there are certain things you will need to experience for yourself. However, it is essential to prepare yourself as well as you can. You can prepare yourself now, for that wonderful blessing and those sacred covenants you will make in the temple, by becoming the person your husband/wife deserves. One thing that I always like to do is pray for my future spouse wherever they may be, that they are preparing for marriage just like I am. The best thing that you can do for your husband/wife is find out who you are, where you came from, and where you are going. Strive to understand what your personality type is, and what you can do to improve yourself. Learn to be patient, optimistic, and charitable as best as you can.


Becoming the person your husband/wife deserves:
-Grow a closer relationship with your Father in Heaven.
-Pray.
-Read your scriptures.
-Keep a journal.
-Be positive.
-Study the writings of modern and ancient prophets.
-Have eternity on your mind.

When dating someone ask yourself these questions:
1. Are you better people when you are with each other?
2. Does either of you want to date anyone else?
3. Do you truly enjoy each others company?
4. Do you feel better about yourself when you are with him or her?
5. Are his or her needs as important to you as your own?
6. Are you free to be yourself when you are together?
7. Are you prepared to marry the family of your prospective spouse?
8. How do you each treat your own parents?
9. How does each of you feel about the other being a parent of your children?
10. Do you each accept the patriarchal order?
11. What will your destiny together be?
12. Have you had your decision confirmed by the Lord?

“There is no time to wait, only time to prepare.”





Family happiness is essential in our eternal happiness. Show your love for your spouse and children now, by being the best that you can be. Pray for your future companion and for your children that they will have as much love for their family as you do. Do not sacrifice your eternal happiness for something you want at this moment. Stay righteous and keep eternity on your mind!

What is happiness?
Happiness is love. Happiness is trust. Happiness is faith. Happiness is service. Happiness is family. Happiness is eternal.





Along with marriage, parenting can be hard. What better way to be prepared for parenting, then to show your love for your family now by keeping the commandments and improving yourself. Be who you want your kids to be, and do what you would want your kids to be doing.

Be the example for your children, by living your high school years in the way you would want them to be living.

Who you want your children to:
-Lie about where they are?
-Smoke, or Drink?
-Break the law of chastity?
-Cheat on a test?
-Hang out with the wrong crowd?
-Steal?

… Me either! So set the example for them and do not do these things. They are not worth it. I repeat, they ARE NOT worth it.





Temptation is everywhere. We are each given different temptations throughout our lives, but it is essential that we remember to not make a permanent decision based on a temporary emotion. Keeping eternity on our minds at all times protects us from falling into the temptations of Satan. As teenagers we are constantly faced with temptations and decisions, remember to always look at the eternal perspective. We have the power to overcome any temptation that we are given, and we are expected to.

How to overcome temptations:
-Keep an eternal perspective.
-Make decisions early on, so that temptations will not tempt you.
-Have eternity on your mind.

“The devil has no power over us, only as we permit it.”





Life is filled with many trials and tribulations. Enduring and finding strength through these trials is possible if we remember to keep the eternal perspective. Christ will never give us a trial that we can’t handle, so it is possible to overcome every trial life presents us with. Sometimes in life we are presented with trials that we have no control over such as: death, illness, financial situations, etc. These trials are given to us for a reason, and they teach us and strengthen us more than anything else could.
On July 15, 2007 my mom passed away due to a brain hemorrhage. I was 14 years old. The night she went in to the hospital, I wouldn’t go see her in her hospital room. I guess you could say I didn’t want it to become real to me yet. I went to bed that night thinking that in the morning everything would be back to normal. I woke up to Maggie in the bed next to me and realized that what happened the night before was real. That day I remember sitting against the wall in the hospital with my arms around my knees crying as if I was completely alone. I remember leaving the room and sitting alone while my family discussed the funeral. I remember going with my Dad to pick out a casket and not saying a word. I guess you could say I was stuck in denial. It may have taken me a little while to know how to deal with this tragedy in a healthy way, but I have now learned to be grateful for this trial in my life. I know that because of this trial I have become a stronger girl, and have grown closer to my Savior. I don’t know what my life would be like if my Mother were still here, but what I do know is that I wouldn’t be as strong as I am today. I know that I had to grow up a lot faster than a lot of my friends, but ultimately I know this trial helped me realize what is important in life and kept me out of a lot of trouble during these last four years. I knew I wanted to return to live with not only my Savior but my Mom as well, so I tried to stay as righteous as I could. I know that I never want to be responsible for the smile on Satan’s face, but I want to do everything in my power to put a smile on my Saviors face. I know that I have only written about my Mom passing away in this stage, but that is because this experience, this trial, is what made me who I am today. I know my Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ love me. I know they want the best for me. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the true church. I know that through living the commandments we can return to live with our Father in Heaven. I know that I can be with my family forever, and that one day I will be able to be with my Mother again. I am grateful for my Dad, and the amazing guy that he is. Ever since my Mom passed away he has stepped up to the plate. I love optimism, and although I still at times have a negative attitude, I am still grateful for the power of a positive attitude.
During this stage of my life, I tried my hardest to not let this trial define me, but to help it strengthen me, so I could be the daughter my Mom not only deserved, but was proud of. I did very well in high school, and mostly did not get into the common behaviors of most teenagers. After my Mom passed away, it was hard for me to get close to many people, but luckily I had three very close friends, and a family that helped me through this stage of my life. Ultimately I am just trying to be the best me that I can be, and strive everyday to become closer to my Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ. I know that my Savior carried me through this trial, and I am so grateful for that. Having eternity on my mind helped me overcome my trials and tribulations.


How to overcome trials: (especially at a young age)
-Understand where trials come from.
-Recognize your purpose on this Earth.
-BE positive!
-Learn to be grateful for your trials.
-Have eternity on your mind.

OVERCOME TRIALS, DO NOT LET TRIALS OVERCOME YOU!




Positivity is KEY. In order to have eternity on our mind we must be positive as well as have faith in our Savior. You have the power to change any thought that you think at any time. Catch yourself thinking a negative thought and immediately change that thought into a positive one. You create what you experience. Often times teenagers believe that by thinking negatively they are preparing themselves for the worst to happen, but really they are creating the worst to happen. When we think positively we send positive energy out into the universe and things begin to work in our favor. “There is no faith with fear and doubt.” If we doubt that what we want to happen will happen we are kinking up the energy, and therefore are creating an experience we don’t want. Be positive in all that you do, and have faith. Keep eternity on your mind, and believe you can achieve that. Have faith that repentance works and that your Savior will do everything in his power to help you receive eternal life, because he will.

How to be positive when everything seems to be going wrong:
-Count your blessings.
-See things in a positive light, rather then thinking of the worst that could happen.
-Lose yourself in the service of others.
-Love yourself. Understand where you come from, and begin loving yourself immediately.
-Have eternity on your mind.

“Life is 10% what happens to you, and 90% how you react to it.”




Start by strengthening your own family now. By honoring your Mother and Father you are preparing yourself for that opportunity to be a Mother or Father of your own one day. Show your love to each member of your family: siblings, parents, extended family. Families are eternal, and it is important to establish an eternal relationship with them right now. Always approach everyday as if it is the last you will see your loved ones. Do not go a day without telling your loved ones the love you have for them.


How does strengthening your family now help your future family?
-It helps teach you how to treat your loved ones.
-It provides you with an example of how an eternal family is supposed to act towards each other.
-It will prepare you for teaching your children, and guiding them through their lives.
-It will help you grow a love for your future family.




There are so many opportunities awaiting us, based on our willingness to keep the Lords commandments. We have been promised that if we keep the commandments and strive for perfection we will enter into the kingdom of God. I always wonder… What if I am given an opportunity, but am not prepared enough to take it? Then I wonder how can I prepare myself now in a way that I will be prepared for any opportunity that Christ gives me?

It is actually quite simple…
Remember to have eternity on your mind, and keep the Lord’s commandments.

Prepare yourself now by becoming the person you want to become.
Do not use the words: One day I want to be…
Become that NOW! Do not wait to become the person you want to be. You have the power to change now.




Have eternity on your mind. There is a once upon a time and a happily ever after in every fairytale, but in between are always the trials, challenges, and obstacles that need to be tackled. Through every trial, pain, and tribulation have eternity on your mind, and remember the eternal plan of happiness. Remember why you are here, who you are, and where you are going. Be positive and remember that you can have eternal life all based upon your righteousness. Pray to your Heavenly Father and ask him to help you have Eternity on your mind always.

Ask yourself this question:
How much time do I spend getting ready or on my computer?

Now ask yourself this question:
How much time do I spend with eternity on my mind?

Let that question help you evaluate yourself and determine the changes that need to be made in your life. You, the youth of today, are being raised in enemy territory. Do your actions place you in the Lords or enemy territory? Do not cross over to the adversary, even an inch. Step it up, and keep eternity on your mind!

“You can’t be right by doing wrong, and you can’t be wrong by doing right.”


There is always a way back.
I know this booklet is very straightforward, and that is because I want to save you from as little trouble as possible.
Repentance is a principle that is very real in our religion.
It is real. And I have felt it work in my own life.
Don’t think that if you messed up, it is over, and there is no turning back.
Our Savior suffered for our sins so that we could repent and return back to him.
Turn to your Savior, and have a change of heart.
Christ loves all his children, despite their mistakes.
I hope this booklet taught you one thing.
And that is…

To Have ETERNITY on Your Mind.

Impressum

Tag der Veröffentlichung: 08.12.2012

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